How AI and Resilient Networks Are Transforming Connectivity in Africa
Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, and Benjamin Bonnell, CEO of Expand in Africa, discuss the future of telecom transformation, the role of AI-powered networks, and the resilience of Africa’s digital infrastructure investment.
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The Future of Telecom Transformation in Africa
Note: The below article has been created using a transcript of the session video.
Africa’s telecom transformation is accelerating, fueled by advancements in AI-powered networks, 5G deployment in emerging markets, and increased digital infrastructure investment. These developments are critical to ensuring resilient connectivity and bridging the continent’s digital divide.
At Africa Tech Festival 2024, industry leaders tackled one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s telecom sector: how to prevent major connectivity disruptions like the March 2024 cable crisis, which impacted 13 African nations.
Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure
“Connectivity is not just essential for business—it’s vital for entire economies,” said Brelotte Ba, reflecting on the crisis that resulted from four simultaneous undersea cable cuts—an unprecedented event that left millions without access to digital services.
Digital infrastructure investment is key to avoiding such incidents in the future. In response, Orange Middle East and Africa leveraged its Joliba terrestrial network to reroute traffic, ensuring that affected countries remained online. This crisis redefined network resiliency, proving that operators must look beyond subsea cable redundancy and focus on terrestrial network expansion.
Strengthening Africa’s Connectivity with 5G and Emerging Markets
Africa’s digital transformation is being driven by 5G and emerging markets, as mobile penetration continues to surge.
“Africa is adding 20 million new internet users every year,” Ba noted. This massive growth is creating unprecedented demand for bandwidth, pushing operators to scale their fiber networks, mobile infrastructure, and satellite solutions.
In response, Orange is:
✅ Expanding 4G and 5G networks in key markets like Botswana, Jordan, Senegal, and Egypt, with Tunisia next in line.
✅ Investing in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solutions to enhance broadband access.
✅ Deploying satellite-based connectivity to serve remote regions.
✅ Rolling out 15,000 new rural telecom sites over the next four years.
By addressing both capacity expansion and rural connectivity, Orange is ensuring that Africa’s digital economy remains globally competitive.
Public-Private Partnerships in Connectivity: The Key to Resilience
The conversation around public-private partnerships in connectivity is gaining momentum, as governments and telecom operators collaborate to build future-proof networks.
Ba emphasised the need for cross-border collaboration, especially in landlocked countries, where telecom players must work together to provide seamless connectivity. Orange’s Joliba network upgrade—a fivefold increase in capacity—is a prime example of how infrastructure partnerships can enhance network resilience and accelerate Africa’s digital economy.
Governments are also playing a role by improving regulations, investing in digital infrastructure, and offering incentives for fiber and 5G deployment. These public-private partnerships are crucial to sustaining Africa’s telecom transformation and ensuring that AI-powered networks can deliver high-speed, uninterrupted connectivity.
The Role of AI-Powered Networks in Telecom Transformation
AI is set to revolutionise network management and customer experience. Ba highlighted several key AI-driven innovations that are transforming telecom operations:
1️⃣ Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms analyse network patterns to anticipate equipment failures, reducing downtime.
2️⃣ Zero-Touch Networks: AI is enabling the creation of self-healing networks that automate infrastructure management—a shift that could significantly reduce operational costs.
3️⃣ Smart CapEx Allocation: Africa’s vast geography demands strategic investment in connectivity infrastructure. AI-driven CapEx models help operators prioritise network expansions based on traffic demand, demographics, and economic growth patterns.
4️⃣ Customer Engagement & Inclusion:
- AI-powered chatbots are being trained in local African languages to improve accessibility.
- Voice-activated mobile money services will soon enable seamless transactions without the need for USSD codes, making financial inclusion easier for unbanked populations.
Ba stressed that AI-powered networks are not just about efficiency—they are about inclusion. “By integrating AI and cloud solutions, we are making connectivity smarter, more accessible, and more resilient.”
Why Digital Infrastructure Investment is Critical for Africa’s Future
As Africa’s digital economy grows, resilient connectivity will be the foundation of future economic and social development. The cost of internet disruptions is staggering—one day without connectivity costs:
💸 $72 million in South Africa
💸 $25 million in Côte d'Ivoire
💸 $125 million in Egypt
Beyond economic losses, unreliable networks hinder business growth, disrupt education, and slow down innovation. Public-private partnerships in connectivity will be vital in ensuring that Africa can sustain its rapid digital transformation.
Ba concluded with an optimistic outlook: “Africa is no longer just following global technology trends—we are shaping them. With the right investments in AI-powered networks, 5G, and fiber, we are building a truly resilient, future-proof telecom infrastructure.”